HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 07-26 Arson hinted in fire at 3M THE DISPATCH Th¢ Dispcatc
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illi : Aug.9, 1979 M* 33
Arson hinted
in fire at 33M
Investigation of a fire that did support units from Maplewood
at least $1.5 milllion in damage and surrounding communities.
at the 3M Co. headquarters in
Maplewood July 25 indicates the Although fire damage was
blaze was deliberately set, the limited to the sixth floor of the
company said today. 15-story building, other floors
had heavy smoke and water
Two independent firms called damage.
in by 3M to investigate the cause
of the fire agreed the fire was The 1,600 workers in the build-
set, according to John Ver- ing, No. 220, at the large com-
straete, 3M vice president for Alex were told not to report to
public relations. work the day of the fire. They
returned to work the next day
Earlier speculation on the and were housed in other areas
cause had centered on the possi- of the building and other office
bility of equipment or electrical space at the complex. 3M has
system malfunction. Arson had about 11,000 employees at its
been ruled out. The new findings Maplewood headquarters.
are based on physical evidenceof The offices affected bythe fire
sc a flammable. 3Mffisubstance theat the included the CarbonlesRelated
scene. 3M officials said in-
vestigation will continue with Products Division Administra-
the company's security staff tion, Consumer Affairs, the re-
working with local officials. search and development staff,
some of the financial manage-
The fire was discovered early ment staff and other offices.
in the morning by a security Most of the company's records
guard as he made his normal from the sixth floor still were in-
rounds of the building. It was tact following the fire, although
brought under control in about dirty from soot and water dam-
an hour by 25 firefighting and age.